yixing teapot advice

[Oni]

As I read more about yixing teapots, I beagan to realize that the clay from which is made is most important, and that it is rare to find great clay, so i decided I need a real zisha teapot, just to experience the magic.
I would like to ask the opinion of more advanced teadrinkers about http://www.houdeasianart.com/index.php? ... ts_id=1102 , this teapot, I trust houde, I know they sell really good yixing, and I think this teapot is really affortrable, 80`s please drink chinese oolong series. My questions are, is this teapot an authentic zisha, does it worth the price, what type of tea is it suited for.

[leonacraig]

Zisha has silicon and iron in it and it seemes to have a crystaline structure when fired. As a result, first, when you twist the lid on the teapot, it should give a smooth sound, not rough, and, second, if you ring the lid around, loosely in the top of the pot, it should give a nice "ring" just like good glass crystal does. You don't mention the size of the pot (cc's) and I am not sure if the 80 price you give is in Euros. However, let me say that, in the teapot market, in Guangzhou, zisha teapots that look like that sell for as little as Y40 (EURO4 to 5) up to several hundred Yuan (40 or so Euros), so you might have paid an ok price, as long as it is real zisha and a decent size and quality. Finally, another of the unique qualities of zisha teapots is their porosity. Thus, they absorb flavor from tea over time, and, although you can make any type of tea in them, it is usually suggested that you stick to one or similar teas because some of the flavor will be absorbed into the pours and retain the flavor.
Hope that helps
Craig

Edited by Moderator

[chrl42]

Looks like Qing Shui ni. Shape is unique.

However, to brew Oolong, I'd recommend Zhuni or Gaiwan..you know 'absorbing'..

[Proinsias]

Zisha has silicon and iron in it and it seemes to have a crystaline structure when fired. As a result, first, when you twist the lid on the teapot, it should give a smooth sound, not rough, and, second, if you ring the lid around, loosely in the top of the pot, it should give a nice "ring" just like good glass crystal does. You don't mention the size of the pot (cc's) and I am not sure if the 80 price you give is in Euros. However, let me say that, in the teapot market, in Guangzhou, zisha teapots that look like that sell for as little as Y40 (EURO4 to 5) up to several hundred Yuan (40 or so Euros), so you might have paid an ok price, as long as it is real zisha and a decent size and quality. Finally, another of the unique qualities of zisha teapots is their porosity. Thus, they absorb flavor from tea over time, and, although you can make any type of tea in them, it is usually suggested that you stick to one or similar teas because some of the flavor will be absorbed into the pours and retain the flavor.
Hope that helps
Craig

The teapot is from the 1980's, is 125cc and costs $125, it's in the link. It's going to pretty tough trying to find out what noise the lid makes when purchasing over the internet.

I can't offer any advice other than the pot looks lovely

[Oni]

The picture is nice, but it really hard to judge a teapot over the picture, but I am curious whether someone knows the quality in general of
"Please Drink Chinese Oolong" series is one of the most famous special-ordered yixing teapots. They were initially special ordered by CNNP Fujian Xia-Meng sub-branch in 1972 to 1978 as gifts to promote the Chinese oolong teas to the international market. The early "please drink Chinese oolong" teapots were mostly zhu ni and hong ni. The series became very well-known and popular, and more such pieces were made, may be not under special order, in 80s and early 90s using different clays such as zhi sha and muo ni", or someone owns a teapot from these type, I want to use it for sheng puerh, and my main concern is the material, it must be authentic zisha.

[chrl42]

As far as I know, those early-Shui Pin teapot mostly used good material, or that could be reason why many people are after it.

The clay was mined, stored and supervised properly by today's some Grand masters then mass-produced so the artisan's level however might not be convincing as much as today's potters (you see how big the spout is for little pot)

[MarshalN]

There are literally zillions of "please drink oolong" pots out there, from very nice to very run of the mill. Unfortunately, until you have it in your hands, it's hard to know what's going on with any particular pot.

[finddream2020]

i don't know the history value of the teapot, but the teapot made by the clay of late 80's and early 90's is a little high on the website. except total handmade or made by famous masters.

[TIM]

The Houde one is great for yancha, since the bottom is wide and flat and the pour is fast, I also only use it for high fired yancha because of the thickness of the wall. The pic. above is it's little sis. which I use for DC only, since the wall is a bid thinner and the pour is more gentle.

I am not sure this is from the 80's or not, again, who can really tell from looking online? Just talking about the clay, I think is ok, with a distinctive purple hue overall.

[TokyoB]

I am sorry to say that this teapot is not from 80s. I know this would open a can of worms but what isn't is not. You don't have to take my word for it, though.

How can you tell?

[TIM]

I am sorry to say that this teapot is not from 80s. I know this would open a can of worms but what isn't is not. You don't have to take my word for it, though.

How can you tell?

Kyleshen is the master of yixing collectors
Perhaps the potter don't match the date of this pot, since she was too young to stamp a pot in the 80s? Wild guess.

[Oni]

OK, if it isn`t from the 80 is it at least good zisha, Tim I see you own one, is it worth buying one, or should I stick to what Yunnan sourcing sell or Dragon teahouse sells, I wanted a good zisha for sheng puerh, and thanks everybody for informing me.

[TIM]

OK, if it isn`t from the 80 is it at least good zisha, Tim I see you own one, is it worth buying one, or should I stick to what Yunnan sourcing sell or Dragon teahouse sells, I wanted a good zisha for sheng puerh, and thanks everybody for informing me.

So you are not using this for Wuyi or High roasted oolong? The clay is of good quality, but if you are not using it for oolong, then its kind of missing the point: "Pls drink Chinese Oolong tea" What size are you looking for? One more thing, IMO what ever it is from Houde, will be much better quality then both your others vendors.

[Oni]

Slowly I figured this out, that houde sell very good quality stuff, and I don`t mind paying more for something better, if I had the money I would only be interested in the best grade teaware possible.